Scouting Lake County girls cross country

Libertyville should be prepared to make a return trip to state as a team after barely getting out of the Palatine Class 3A sectional in fifth place last fall. The Wildcats have great depth returning for coach Harry Carlson with seniors Anne Strychalski, Alyssa Corrigan, Hannah Reilly, Kristy Williams, and Katherine Filippo bringing great experience. Sophomore Erin Jaffke was strong for the Wildcats downstate last year as was junior teammate Megan Janezic ... Once again, Warren senior Heather Olson appears to be the individual to beat in the Lake County and the greater Chicagoland area as Olson rolled to the sectional crown before placing seventh in the Class 3A state meet in 2007. After placing third in conference last year, the Blue Devils will turn to senior Sarahbeth Jones, sophomore Gabby Nystrom, and junior Annie Brandes for much-needed depth against teams like Libertyville and Lake Zurich ... While Lake Forest should contend for runner-up honors again in the NSC, Lake Zurich is a team to watch after placing fourth in conference last season. The Bears did lose a very key runner in Stephanie Weiss to graduation, but seniors Erika Powers, Megan Beigl, Shannon Hughes, and junior Olivia Holicky give coach Ian Silverman a good group of experienced runners to count on. Juniors Herel Hughes, Kelsey Iverhouse, Julia Moore, and Amy Pietro give the Bears great depth. Lake Zurich sophomore Audry Smith is coming off an injury ... Mundelein will be rebuilding to some degree without top two runners Claire Heitman and Lindsey Benedeck lost to graduation. But the Mustangs should have a strong trio of sophomores in the mix behind Lauren Ozimek, Jenny Small, and Molly Burke. Juniors Kelsey Moon, Molly Rohan, Jade Cox, and Angela Norton are among Mundelein's key newcomers ... Stevenson should be in much better shape this fall as the Patriots have all of their top five runners returning, including senior leaders Kim Tarnoff and Chrissie Pacewicz. Junior Paige Ekenberg, sophomore Cheryl Bredin, and senior Natalie Farmer round out the Pats' top five ... Vernon Hills will have runners step up into bigger roles this fall, but the Cougars have an elite runner in senior Danielle Dickman (13th in 2A) leading their pack. Senior Mallory Feece is joined by juniors Jessica Feece and Carley Umphress as top returning runners. Freshmen Alyssa Gentile, Danielle Fiarito, and Abbie Letts have shown great promise early in the season for Vernon Hills ... Antioch has an outstanding leader in junior Erin Poss (18th in 2A) to set the pace for the Sequiots, but Lakes will sorely miss the graduated Rachel Dean (14th in 2A) this fall. The Eagles do have senior Ariel Butzine as a strong replacement as Butzine was all-state in the 800 meters last spring. Lakes junior Emma Howard is a veteran runner with help from senior Lauren Hennelly and junior Erin McGill. Freshmen Kathryn Schenck, Hannah Wittman, and Grace Dean will try to make an impact for the Eagles ... Sectional qualifier Grant has its great duo of junior Alexis Capps and senior Kendra Kennedy returning, but the Bulldogs will be searching for more pack running in 2008. Senior Alyssa Pasiewicz and sophomore teammates Trisha Palmieri and Vianca Bermeo should round out the Bulldogs' top five ... Round Lake hopes to make some waves behind junior sectional qualifier Danya Aceves ... In the Fox Valey Conference, Grayslake Central and coach Joel Peebles will try to replace a big loss in graduated sectional qualifier Daisy Brey. On the other side of town, Grayslake North will turn to sophomore Kimmy Denikas as Denikas just missed reaching the state meet in 2007. Senior Marlee Lane is another key runner for the Knights and coach Brandon Boyd ... In the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Carmel will be aiming for a top-three finish behind junior sectional qualifier Hilary Halford. Senior Alexis Mientus is the Corsairs' No. 2 runner with support from freshman Megan Paul (national jr. high sprint champion), juniors Bonnie Micelli, and Jackie Migliarese. Seniors Abby Nazarian and Alyssa Tworek will also contribute.

- John Bumbales